Device for storing and conveying containers intermediately in at least one conveying direction

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1, 21, 26, 31) for intermediately storing and conveying containers (11) in at least one conveying direction, comprising: a multi-row intermediate storage unit (3); a plurality of container outlet channels (4, 10) disposed downstream of the multi-row intermediate storage unit in the conveying direction; and at least one movable container outlet connector (17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 28, 32, 33), each designed to connect to at least one row (131-133) of the multi-row intermediate storage unit. 20 ) Receive containers to discharge and distribute them to the plurality of container outlet channels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and conveying containers intermediately in at least one conveying direction. Background Technology

[0002] DE 102017211901A1 discloses an apparatus for conveying and intermediately storing articles, the apparatus having an article entry flow divider for dividing a single entry flow into at least two article travel paths, and having a movable article entry distributor associated with the article entry path. The article entry distributor can distribute articles from the associated article entry path to at least one intermediate storage device, such as a multi-column buffer station.

[0003] For certain types of containers, it may be necessary to transport them along aisles rather than, for example, partially via bulk transport. This involves introducing containers from the inlet aisle into a multi-column buffer station and then discharging them from multiple columns into separate aisles, resulting in high space requirements for such equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a device that allows for the supply, buffering, and discharge of containers in a space-saving and inexpensive manner.

[0006] Solution for solving the problem

[0007] This objective is achieved by the following apparatus. Preferred embodiments are disclosed below.

[0008] An apparatus for intermediately storing and conveying containers in at least one conveying direction includes multiple intermediate storage units and multiple container outlet channels disposed downstream of the multiple intermediate storage units in the conveying direction. Additionally, the apparatus includes at least one movable container outlet connector, each designed to receive containers from at least one unit of the multiple intermediate storage units to discharge and distribute the containers to the multiple container outlet channels.

[0009] With the help of a movable container outlet connector, containers transported in the channel can be transferred from an intermediate storage device to a single container outlet channel in a compact design of the device.

[0010] At least one movable container outlet connector may include a movable track to distribute containers from one column to multiple container outlet channels. For example, a pneumatic track or actuator may be provided. By adjusting the movable track, containers received from the column and discharged by the container outlet connector can be distributed to different container outlet channels, preferably 3 to 8 channels, and particularly preferably 4 to 6 channels. Container outlet connectors with movable tracks capable of distributing containers to two, three, four, or more container outlet channels can be provided.

[0011] At least one movable container outlet connector can be designed to move parallel to the columns of a multi-column intermediate storage unit to distribute containers from one column to multiple container outlet channels. Here, the movement of the container connector can be influenced by a distance corresponding to the width of the container outlet channel or a multiple of that width.

[0012] At least one movable container outlet connector can be designed to move parallel to the container outlet channels to distribute containers from multiple columns to multiple container outlet channels. Here, the movement of the container connector can be influenced by a distance corresponding to the width of the column or a multiple of the width.

[0013] At least one movable container outlet connector can be designed to distribute containers from a first number of columns to a first number of container outlet channels, where the first number can be greater than 1. The first number of columns can all be configured one after another. Alternatively, not all columns in the first number of columns can be configured one after another. The first number of container outlet channels can all be configured one after another. Alternatively, not all container outlet channels in the first number of container outlet channels can be configured one after another.

[0014] The device may also include at least one robot arm, which may be designed to manipulate at least one movable container outlet connector. The manipulation may include moving the container outlet connector by the robot arm in two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. Movement of the movable track may also be performed by the robot arm.

[0015] Each of at least one of the machine hands can be associated with at least one of the movable container outlet connectors.

[0016] The device may also include at least one movable container outlet connector that is not used by the at least one robotic arm. The unused movable container outlet connector may have, for example, a different design and may be adapted, for example, according to the usage requirements in the device.

[0017] At least one robotic arm can also be designed to exchange its associated movable container outlet connector with at least one movable container outlet connector that is not used by the at least one robotic arm. For this purpose, the robotic arm can, for example, place its associated container outlet connector at a location provided for this purpose, then pick up the unused container connector, and then manipulate it to receive containers, discharge containers, and distribute them to multiple container outlet channels.

[0018] The device may include two or more multi-row intermediate storage units. For example, it can optimally utilize reduced container transport speeds.

[0019] The device may include at least one container inlet channel that can be configured upstream of multiple intermediate storage devices in the conveying direction.

[0020] The device may include at least one movable container inlet connector, each of which may be designed to receive a container from at least one of the container inlet channels to discharge and transfer the container to at least one of the multiple intermediate storage devices.

[0021] The device may also include at least one robotic arm that can be designed to manipulate at least one movable container inlet connector. The robotic arm may be designed to be the same as a robotic arm that can be designed to manipulate at least one movable container outlet connector.

[0022] Each of the at least one robotic arm can be associated with one of the at least one movable container inlet connectors.

[0023] The device may also include at least one movable container inlet connector that is not used by at least one robotic arm. For example, the at least one robotic arm may also be designed to replace its associated movable container inlet connector with one of at least one movable container inlet connectors that is not used by the at least one robotic arm. The unused movable container inlet connector may have, for example, a different design and may be adapted, for example, according to the usage requirements in the device.

[0024] If two movable container outlet connectors are used, they are preferably positioned alternately, such that moving one container outlet connector guides the container to the other, and vice versa. The same applies when more than two container outlet connectors are provided. While guiding the container via at least one container outlet connector, the other container outlet connector or other container outlet connectors are moved separately. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects and / or embodiments of the invention by way of example, for a better understanding and for illustrative purposes. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the device is shown.

[0027] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the device is shown.

[0028] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the device is shown, and

[0029] Figure 4 A fourth embodiment of the device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the device 1 is shown. The device 1 has two container inlet channels, a multi-row intermediate storage device 3, and seven container outlet channels 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 arranged in parallel. In the container inlet channel 2 and the container outlet channels 4 to 10, the transport direction of the container 11 can be along a first direction 12, while in the column 13 of the multi-row intermediate storage device 3, the transport direction of the container 11 can be along a second direction 14, which extends laterally (perpendicularly to the first direction 12).

[0031] Device 1 also includes two movable container inlet connectors 15 and 16, both of which are designed to receive container 11 from a container inlet channel 2, discharge container 11, and transfer it to at least one column 131-13 of the multi-column intermediate storage device 3. 20 For this purpose, container inlet connectors 15 and 16 can be moved along the first direction 12 or in a direction opposite to the first direction 12. In the figures, one of the movable container inlet connectors 15 and 16 is associated with one of the container inlet channels 2.

[0032] Device 1 also includes two movable container outlet connectors 17 and 18, which are designed to supply outlets from one column 131-13 of the multi-column intermediate storage device 3. 20 Container 11 is received to discharge and distribute it to a plurality of container outlet channels 4 to 10. For this purpose, the illustrated container connectors 17, 18 include movable rails 19, 20 to guide container 11 from one column 131-13. 20 Assigned to multiple container outlet channels 4 to 10. A container outlet connector 17 is designed to connect container 11 from one column 13. 10 Assigned to three container outlet channels 4 to 6, another container outlet connector 18 is designed to connect container 11 from one column 13. 16The containers are assigned to four container outlet channels 7 to 10. For this purpose, the movable tracks 19 and 20 of each container outlet connector 17, 18 can be moved accordingly to guide the path of container 11 to one of the desired three container outlet channels 4 to 6 or four container outlet channels 7 to 10. Alternatively, two container outlet connectors can be configured to assign containers from one column to the same number of container outlet channels respectively. This is for different columns 131-13. 20 Containers 11 are received one after another to discharge containers 11 and can be distributed to multiple container outlet channels 4 to 10. Container outlet connectors 17, 18 can move in the first direction 12 or in the opposite direction of the first direction 12.

[0033] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the device 21 is shown, wherein it has been targeted Figure 1 The elements described have the same reference numerals and will not be described again. The movable container outlet connectors 22 and 23 of the second embodiment are different from those of the movable container outlet connector of the first embodiment.

[0034] Two movable container outlet connectors 22 and 23 are also designed to connect to one of the columns 131-13 of the multi-column intermediate storage device 3. 20 The system receives container 11 and discharges and distributes it to multiple container outlet channels 4 to 10. For this purpose, in the second embodiment, container outlet connectors 22, 23 are designed to be accessible along columns 131-13 parallel to the multiple intermediate storage devices 2. 20 It can move in direction 24 and can also move in direction 25 parallel to the container outlet channels 4 to 10. Assume each container outlet connector 22, 23 respectively moves container 11 from one column 13. 10 13 16 The containers are allocated to three container outlet channels: 4 to 6 and 8 to 10.

[0035] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the device 26 is shown, wherein it has been targeted Figure 1 and Figure 2 The elements described have the same reference numerals and will not be described again. The device 26 shown basically corresponds to the second embodiment, however, it additionally includes two robotic arms 29, 30. Each robotic arm 29, 30 is associated with one of the two container outlet connectors 27, 28, wherein each robotic arm 29, 30 is designed to manipulate the associated container outlet connector 27, 28. For this purpose, the robotic arms 29, 30 can be positioned at least in columns 131-13 parallel to the multi-column intermediate storage device 3. 20 The container outlet connectors 27 and 28 can move in the plane of the transport surface, for example, along columns 131-13. 20Or move in a direction parallel to container outlet channels 4 to 10.

[0036] In possible three-dimensional spatial movement, for example, if the container outlet connector is like... Figure 1 If used as shown, the robotic arms 29 and 30 can also be designed to swap the associated container outlet connectors 27 and 28 with another container outlet connector.

[0037] Figure 4 A fourth embodiment of the device 31 is shown, wherein it has been addressed Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The elements described have the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0038] The two container outlet connectors 32 and 33 are different from the container outlet connectors described for the first to third embodiments. Each container outlet connector 32 and 33 is designed to allow the container 11 to exit from two adjacent columns 131 and 132, 13 of the multi-column intermediate storage device 3. 11 and 13 12 They are respectively assigned to two adjacent container outlet channels 5 and 6, and 8 and 9. This is to enable container 11 to be moved from two different adjacent columns 131-13. 20 Assigned to two adjacent container outlet channels 4 to 10, container outlet connectors 32 and 33 can move along a direction 25 parallel to the container outlet channels 4 to 10. This allows container 11 to be moved from two adjacent columns 131-13. 20 Assigned to two different adjacent container outlet channels 4 to 10, container outlet connectors 32 and 33 can be arranged parallel to columns 131-13. 20 Move in direction 24.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1, 21, 26, 31) for storing and conveying a container (11) intermediately in at least one conveying direction, comprising: -Multi-row intermediate storage device (3); - Multiple container outlet channels (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) are arranged downstream of the multiple intermediate storage devices (3) in the conveying direction; - At least one movable container outlet connector (17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 28, 32, 33), all designed to connect to at least one column (131-13) of the multi-column intermediate storage device (3). 20 ) Receive container (11) to discharge container (11) and distribute it to a plurality of said container outlet channels (4-10), It also includes at least one robotic arm (29, 30) designed to manipulate the at least one movable container outlet connector (17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 28, 32, 33). It also includes at least one movable container outlet connector that is not used by the at least one robotic arm (29, 30). The at least one robotic arm (29, 30) is also designed to exchange the movable container outlet connector (17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 28, 32, 33) associated with it for one of the at least one movable container outlet connectors not used by the at least one robotic arm (29, 30).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one movable container outlet connector (17, 18) includes movable rails (19, 20) to move the container (11) from one column (131-13). 20 ) are allocated to the multiple container outlet channels (4-10).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The at least one movable container outlet connector (17, 18) includes movable rails (19, 20) to move the container (11) from one column (131-13). 20 The containers are assigned to the multiple container outlet channels (4-10), in which pneumatic tracks or actuators are provided.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one movable container outlet connector (17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 28, 32, 33) is designed to be able to operate in parallel columns (131-13) of the multi-column intermediate storage device (3). 20 Move the container (11) one by one from column (131-13) in the direction (24) to move the container (11) one by one from column (131-13). 20 ) are allocated to the multiple container outlet channels (4-10).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one movable container outlet connector (22, 23, 27, 28, 32, 33) is designed to be movable in a direction (25) parallel to the container outlet channel (4-10) to move containers (11) one after another from multiple columns (131-13). 20 ) are allocated to the multiple container outlet channels (4-10).

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one movable container outlet connector (32, 33) is designed to allow the container (11) to exit from a first number of columns (131-13). 20 ) are allocated to the first number of container outlet channels (4-10), wherein the first number is greater than 1.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, One of the at least one robotic arm (29, 30) is associated with one of the at least one movable container outlet connector (17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 28, 32, 33).

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The device includes two or more multi-column intermediate storage devices (3).

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device includes at least one container inlet channel (2) which is disposed upstream of the multi-column intermediate storage device (3) in the conveying direction.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The device includes at least one movable container inlet connector (15, 16), both designed to receive a container (11) from one of the at least one container inlet channel (2) to discharge and transfer the container (11) to at least one column (131-13) of the multi-column intermediate storage device (3). 20 ).

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The device also includes at least one robotic arm designed to manipulate the at least one movable container inlet connector (15, 16).

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, One of the at least one robotic arms is associated with one of the at least one movable container inlet connectors (15, 16).

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The device also includes at least one movable container inlet connector (15, 16) that is not used by the at least one robotic arm.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, The at least one robotic arm is also designed to exchange the movable container inlet connector (15, 16) associated with it for one of the at least one movable container inlet connectors not used by the at least one robotic arm.

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